Books Are the Basis
It is believed that Bhaktivedanta Swami’s most significant contribution are his books. Within the final twenty years of his life, Bhaktivedanta Swami translated over sixty volumes of classic Vedic scriptures (such as the Bhagavad-gītā and the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam) into the English language. For their authority, depth, and clarity, his books have won praise from professors at colleges and universities like Harvard, Oxford, Cornell, Columbia, Syracuse, Oberlin, and Edinburgh. His Bhagavad-Gītā As It Is was published by Macmillan Publishers in 1968 and unabridged edition in 1972, and is now available in over sixty languages around the world, with other works available in over eighty languages.
The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust was established in 1972 to publish his works. It has also published the massively researched multivolume biography, Śrīla Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta, which in opinion of Larry Shinn will "certainly be one of the most complete records of the life and work of any modern religious figure." Śrīla Prabhupāda reminded his devotees before his disappearance that he would live forever in his books, and through them would remain present as a spiritual master or guru. Bhaktivedanta Swami had instilled in his followers an understanding of the importance of writing and publishing not only with regard to his works, but also their own initiatives.
"Making these Vaisnava texts available is one of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s greatest contributions. Apart from the masses, his books have also reached well into academic circles and have spurred academic interest in the Caitanya tradition … The significance of making these texts available is not merely academic or cultural; it is spiritual."
— Shrivatsa Goswami, Prominent Gaudiya Vaishnava Scholar
Read & Purchase Books Online
You can purchase books, read original translations online, or acquire Krishna-conscious paraphernalia at the following official resources:
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT)↗
Purchase Srila Prabhupada’s authentic books and translations.
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase↗
Read scriptures online, search verses, and study translations.
Krishna.com↗
Purchase books, sacred paraphernalia, audio, and devotional items.
Krishna Culture↗
Explore devotional items, music, books, and temple supplies.